“With the addition of Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs Get Instant Impact — But Only for One Year
The winter meetings are over, and Juan Soto is now a New York Met. Several marquee names on this year’s free-agent market and trade market have been on the move. As teams started to pivot from their initial plans for the winter, the biggest issue soon became that there was no franchise-altering player available once Soto was off the market.
At least, that was the case until Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker became available.
Since making his debut in 2019, Tucker has been a force for the Houston Astros, known as the true definition of a five-tool player. He owns a .274/.353/.516 slash line with 125 home runs and 94 stolen bases, and he’s also an elite defender in right field. Tucker was on pace to have the best year of his career last season, hitting 23 home runs in 79 games, before a shin fracture sidelined him for a significant portion of the season.
In recent weeks, it emerged that the Astros were open to moving the star outfielder. On Friday, the Astros traded Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third-base prospect Cam Smith.
The trade instantly makes Tucker the best player in Chicago. For Houston, Paredes can play third or first base and possesses power that should suit Minute Maid Park. Wesneski is a versatile pitcher who saw action in 68 games with 22 starts for the Cubs, with a respectable 3.93 ERA. But the real prize for the Astros is Smith. The Cubs’ 2024 first-round draft pick, Smith was one of the best hitters in college baseball before being selected by Chicago with the 14th overall pick last year. He had a strong debut season in pro ball, slashing .313/.396/.609 with seven home runs and 24 RBI and finishing the year in Double-A.
For the Astros, this trade is about replenishing their farm system. Despite winning two World Series titles and making the ALCS in seven of the last eight seasons, Houston’s prospect pool had thinned out over the years. According to sources aware of the Astros’ thinking, the hope was that this trade could help restock their pipeline, making the organization more competitive over the long term.
The addition of Kyle Tucker means big things for the Cubs as well. The team has lacked a true difference-making bat in the lineup since the days of Kris Bryant. Now, with Tucker, Chicago finally has that player—a consistent force on offense who can carry the lineup for weeks at a time. The Cubs have been active in the free-agent and trade markets to land one more starting pitcher and to add high-leverage arms to the bullpen, but Tucker’s addition changes the dynamic entirely.
The Cubs’ outfield looks set to be one of the best in baseball with Tucker in right field, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center, and Ian Happ in left. The inclusion of Tucker immediately makes the Cubs better on defense, and it provides Chicago with moveable assets—like Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki—if they want to continue improving their roster.
However, the Cubs’ concern is clear: Tucker is a one-year rental. The 27-year-old is entering his final season of club control before hitting the free-agent market next winter. The Yankees’ recent experience with Juan Soto serves as a cautionary tale for teams making bold moves for short-term gains. Despite a deep playoff run, Soto chose to leave New York for a lucrative deal with the Mets. With Tucker likely to test the market next offseason, the Cubs may only have one chance to keep him in Chicago.
The Cubs traded away three valuable pieces for a shot at a championship this season, and while Tucker’s talent is undeniable, the high cost raises concerns. This trade makes sense for Chicago in the short term—Tucker could be the final piece to push them into the playoffs—but there’s no guarantee he’ll stay beyond 2025. The team needs to have all the right pieces in place by Opening Day to make the most of this opportunity. Because with Soto off the board, Tucker was the only player available who could provide the same level of impact.
In the end, the Cubs are taking a calculated risk, hoping that their other moves this winter will be enough to turn Tucker’s one-year tenure into something more permanent. If they get it right, they could have a legitimate shot at contending. If not, the trade for Tucker will be a cautionary tale of making bold moves without a long-term plan.”
